“Superfly” Jimmy Snuka Addresses Mysterious Death Of Girlfriend In New Autobiography

The following press release was issued for Jimmy Snuka’s autobiography, Superfly: The Jimmy Snuka Story, which was released this month. Snuka addresses the mysterious death of his girlfriend, which he is labeling as a “mistress” in the book.

On May 10, 1983, a few hours after Snuka had performed at a WWF television taping in Allentown, Pennsylvania, he placed a call for an ambulance. When emergency personnel arrived on the scene at his hotel, they found Snuka’s girlfriend, Nancy Argentino, injured. She was transported to Allentown’s Sacred Heart Medical Center, where she died shortly after of “undetermined craniocerebral injuries.” Deputy Lehigh County coroner Wayne Snyder said, “Upon viewing the body and speaking to the pathologist, I immediately suspected foul play and so notified the district attorney.” Snuka was the only suspect involved in the subsequent investigation. Charges were not pressed against him, although the case was left officially open—no official judgment on whether the incident was accidental or homicide was ever made. In 1985, Argentino’s parents won a $500,000 default judgment against Snuka in United States District Court, although he appears not to have ever paid, claiming financial inability to do so.

Superfly: The Jimmy Snuka Story
By Jimmy Snuka with Jon Chattman

Known for his leopard print uniforms, hard partying lifestyle and signature “Superfly Splash,” Jimmy Snuka is a true WWE legend. At a time when the professional wrestling world was as untamed as the Wild West, Snuka re-wrote the rules and created a technique and persona that still lives on today.

An incredibly entertaining autobiography, complete with a “Snuk-tionary” at the back, Superfly: The Jimmy Snuka Story (December 2012) by Jimmy Snuka with Jon Chattman relates the legacy of the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) icon and his incredible journey from the Fiji Islands to the pro-wrestling world in the wrestler’s own candid words. From the Snuka’s legendary top-rope maneuvers and innovative high-flying style that made him the most popular competitor in the ‘70s and ‘80s to his influence on the development of sports entertainment, this fascinating account delves into some of Snuka’s most talked about moments, including:

· The night Snuka leapt from the top of the 15-foot cage in Madison Square Garden—only to miss his opponent and consequently lose the match

· The Piper’s Pit segment in which Rowdy Roddy Piper smashed a coconut over Snuka’s head at his own urging

· Snuka’s involvement in the untimely death of one of his mistresses and the dissolution of his marriage

Exposing the amazing life of this WWE Hall of Famer with all the exuberance he’s famous for, Superfly presents the ups and downs of a key figure in the expansion and success of professional wrestling—making it a must read for all diehard WWE fans.

About the Authors:
Jimmy Snuka is a semiretired Fijian professional wrestler and actor who competed for several promotions in the 1970s and 1980s. He is a two-time world heavyweight champion, having been a two-time—and becoming the very first—ECW Heavyweight Champion. He lives in Atco, New Jersey.

Jon Chattman is the author of I Love the Red Sox/I Hate the Yankees, a regular contributor to HuffingtonPost.com and the founder of the celebrity interview and music site www.thecheappop.com. He has written for the New York Post, TV Guide, Ultimate Marvel Magazine and Wizard. He lives in Mamaroneck, New York.